I refer to Balik Pulau MP Yusmadi Yusoff’s comments, published in FreeMalaysiaToday.com yesterday, calling for a blanket halt on all development projects in his constituency.
The state government cannot arbitrarily halt projects that have been approved unless they are found to violate the conditions set on its approval. Stop-work orders can be issued in the event projects do not comply with the many conditions such projects need to adhere to. These conditions include environmental, traffic, as well as social impact concerns. In this regard, I welcome MP Yusmadi’s concern for Balik Pulau and await his official input on the matter.
Indeed, the State Government refers project applications to local representatives for their comments before approvals are decided upon. We have rejected applications before, especially those involving hill slope development and active agricultural land. As for squatters, ‘resettlement’ is also a condition of approval.

The Penang State Government reiterates its commitment to be a people-friendly government that practices good governance. We welcome constructive ideas from all quarters for the holistic and sustainable building of a better tomorrow.

Chow Kon Yeow
Penang State Exco Member
(Local Government and Traffic Management)

Monday, July 18, 2011

Yeap Ban Choon, a businessman from Penang and an avid Facebook user relates his experience as a demonstrator during the Bersih march on 9 July 2011. Bersih is a coaliation of NGOs demanding free and fair elections. The ruling government outlawed the Bersih movement together with its yellow T-shirts and other related materials, and severely clamped down on Bersih supporters.

Even the media was not spared. Four Chinese dailies were called up by the government for publishing articles that were described as "uncomfortable" to the ruling party although the authorities claimed that they were just regular meetings.

Currently, six members of Parti Socialis Malaysia (PSM) are still detained under the Emergency Ordinance (EO), which is detention of up to 60 days without trial for purportedly supporting the Bersih movement.

Sunday, July 17, 2011

Jenice Lee, ADUN for Teratai was spotted among the crowd of Bersih protesters on 9 July 2011, outside of Tung Shin hospital at around 3:30 p.m. This interview was conducted just moments before the Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) fired tear gas and water cannons to disperse the crowd. Most of the protesters ran inside Tung Shin Hospital the second time. However, this time the police charged into the hospital grounds to arrest the peaceful demonstrators.

Friday, July 15, 2011

Gerakan vice-president Dato’ Dr Teng Hock Nan today challenged DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng to have the guts to sever ties with PAS, now that PAS has been persistently pursuing its intention to establish an Islamic state of government in Kedah.

Dr Teng said that Lim and DAP should stop bluffing and misleading the people that PAS would discard its intention of establishing an Islamic state of government in Malaysia.

“Stop promising the people that they should not worry and should support Pakatan Rakyat to take over the federal government in the next general elections and that PAS has given up its intention. PAS has no such intention and in fact is using its power in Kedah and Kelantan to vigorously implement policies which encroach into the rights and freedom of other Malaysians who are not of Muslim faith,” said Dr Teng in a statement.

Dr Teng was commenting on PAS Kedah government decision to ban entertainment outlets in Kedah from operating during fasting month.

Dr Teng, who is also Penang Gerakan chief, said DAP had directly or indirectly been responsible for helping PAS to take power in the Kedah state government, especially when the DAP had campaigned for non-Muslim votes for PAS candidates in the 2008 General Elections and in all the subsequent by-elections.

Dr Teng said it was obvious and crystal-clear that PAS is slowly, surely, consistently and persistently working towards establishing an Islamic state of government in Malaysia.

Slamming PAS over its latest move, he said Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Azizan Abdul Razak has been making strenuous efforts in Kedah to realize PAS’ objective.

Dr Teng recalled that the DAP had in the 1990s severed ties with PAS over disagreement with PAS’ Islamic state policy. “What more, we can still remember DAP chairman Karpal Singh’s expletive “Over My Dead Body” when he vehemently objected against PAS’ Islamic state policy.

The Kedah State government had decided that entertainment outlets, including karaoke centers and discotheques will not be allowed to operate during Ramadan in Kedah.

Live-band performances with singers at bars, hotels, restaurants and eating outlets and areas with easy access by the public are also not allowed to open.

I view with great concern the rising state of repression in our country. With regards to Saturday’s (Jul 9, 2011) Bersih rally in the nation’s capital city of Kuala Lumpur, it is impossible to ignore the violent actions of the Royal Malaysian Police in acting against peaceful protesters. Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Najib Tun Razak’s comments today that “Police had used minimum force and there was no actual physical contact” is an outright lie, which is contradicted by the abundant availability of photographs and video clips documenting the blatant opposite of his imagined claims.

PM Najib’s dishonest assessment of Saturday’s events is propped up by a wall of silence from his approving coalition partners, who – unless they speak up strongly and immediately – collectively sanction the use of chemical weapons against unarmed Malaysians. This is particularly agonising given the fact that one man has died as a result of this violence. Further denials by the Police that they “did not lay a finger” on the late Baharuddin Ahmad ring hollow especially as they also unabashedly denied attacking Tung Shin Hospital on Jalan Pudu when protesters were forced to seek refuge from the choking and stinging effects of inhaling 2-chlorobenzalmalononitrile (a.k.a. CS gas). Instead of issuing mere denials, Home Affairs Minister Dato’ Seri Hishamuddin Tun Hussein and IGP Tan Sri Ismail Omar must confront the hard evidence that their men fired numerous volleys of tear cas canisters as well as sprayed chemical-laced water into hospital grounds – where protesters were trapped without any safe dispersal route available – thereby creating havoc and risking the wellbeing of patients in the hospital. This rabid and irresponsible action by the Police is uncalled for and I demand Minister Hishamuddin and IGP Ismail be held accountable.

I need to voice concern, too, with the Police’s violent handling of Bersih 2 and Pakatan leaders. Reportedly, Parliamentary Opposition Leader Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim sustained injuries to his head and knee and had to be hospitalised as a precaution. His bodyguard was less fortunate, taking a direct hit to the face from a tear gas canister and required surgery to repair damage to his face. The deliberate firing of a dangerous projectile into the crowd or aiming it at particular persons is a criminal act. I understand the Police have a role to play in dispersing a crowd that has turned rowdy or violent. However, the act of firing canisters at peaceful people directly is criminally motivated, hence utterly disparages Malaysia’s image as a democratic nation.

The immediate step PM Najib Razak needs to take is to recognise the sheer amount of discontentment with his government’s continued lack of commitment for free and fair elections. If it is true, as it is reported, that he isn’t “afraid” of fair elections, it is time to take Bersih’s demands seriously and reform our electoral system. As for Home Affairs Minister Hishamuddin Hussein, he has to take full responsibility over Police brutality, the usage of chemical weapons in enclosed areas and a hospital, the city-wide lock down, the massive network of road blocks, as well as intimidation against peaceful rally-goers. I also demand the release of the six PSM activists, including my colleague in Parliament Dr Jeyakumar Devaraj, who are still detained under the Emergency Ordinance. As the detention order was justified on belief that the PSM six intend to participate in the Bersih rally, I call upon the Police to release them immediately since July 9 is already a matter of history and it is no longer humanly possible for them to travel back to that date.

Saturday’s Bersih rally, which saw tens of thousands of Malaysians defying the government clampdown and rise up to voice their collective concern for free and fair elections, is a clear indication of the rakyat’s ability to join hands across the imagined boundaries of ethnicity and religion – boundaries which have been used by UMNO-BN to divide and rule this country for so long. Also encouraging is the fact that Malaysians and their friends from all over the world gathered in various cities globally to lend support for Bersih’s cause. This is patriotism at the highest level. There is reason for all Malaysians to have hope for genuine multiracial politics in this country instead of suffering under the continued ethnocracy of UMNO-BN. And for that to happen, the rakyat must remember that, despite all odds, the 9th of July was the peoples’ victorious celebration of democracy in Malaysia.

Hidup Rakyat!

Chow Kon Yeow
Member of Parliament, Tanjong.
Penang State Exco Member and State Assemblyperson, Padang Kota.
Penang DAP State Chairman.

I view with great concern the rising state of repression in our country. With regards to Saturday’s (Jul 9, 2011) Bersih rally in the nation’s capital city of Kuala Lumpur, it is impossible to ignore the violent actions of the Royal Malaysian Police in acting against peaceful protesters. Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Najib Tun Razak’s comments today that “Police had used minimum force and there was no actual physical contact” is an outright lie, which is contradicted by the abundant availability of photographs and video clips documenting the blatant opposite of his imagined claims.
PM Najib’s dishonest assessment of Saturday’s events is propped up by a wall of silence from his approving coalition partners, who – unless they speak up strongly and immediately – collectively sanction the use of chemical weapons against unarmed Malaysians. This is particularly agonising given the fact that one man has died as a result of this violence. Further denials by the Police that they “did not lay a finger” on the late Baharuddin Ahmad ring hollow especially as they also unabashedly denied attacking Tung Shin Hospital on Jalan Pudu when protesters were forced to seek refuge from the choking and stinging effects of inhaling 2-chlorobenzalmalononitrile (a.k.a. CS gas). Instead of issuing mere denials, Home Affairs Minister Dato’ Seri Hishamuddin Tun Hussein and IGP Tan Sri Ismail Omar must confront the hard evidence that their men fired numerous volleys of tear cas canisters as well as sprayed chemical-laced water into hospital grounds – where protesters were trapped without any safe dispersal route available – thereby creating havoc and risking the wellbeing of patients in the hospital. This rabid and irresponsible action by the Police is uncalled for and I demand Minister Hishamuddin and IGP Ismail be held accountable.
I need to voice concern, too, with the Police’s violent handling of Bersih 2 and Pakatan leaders. Reportedly, Parliamentary Opposition Leader Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim sustained injuries to his head and knee and had to be hospitalised as a precaution. His bodyguard was less fortunate, taking a direct hit to the face from a tear gas canister and required surgery to repair damage to his face. The deliberate firing of a dangerous projectile into the crowd or aiming it at particular persons is a criminal act. I understand the Police have a role to play in dispersing a crowd that has turned rowdy or violent. However, the act of firing canisters at peaceful people directly is criminally motivated, hence utterly disparages Malaysia’s image as a democratic nation.
The immediate step PM Najib Razak needs to take is to recognise the sheer amount of discontentment with his government’s continued lack of commitment for free and fair elections. If it is true, as it is reported, that he isn’t “afraid” of fair elections, it is time to take Bersih’s demands seriously and reform our electoral system. As for Home Affairs Minister Hishamuddin Hussein, he has to take full responsibility over Police brutality, the usage of chemical weapons in enclosed areas and a hospital, the city-wide lock down, the massive network of road blocks, as well as intimidation against peaceful rally-goers. I also demand the release of the six PSM activists, including my colleague in Parliament Dr Jeyakumar Devaraj, who are still detained under the Emergency Ordinance. As the detention order was justified on belief that the PSM six intend to participate in the Bersih rally, I call upon the Police to release them immediately since July 9 is already a matter of history and it is no longer humanly possible for them to travel back to that date.
Saturday’s Bersih rally, which saw tens of thousands of Malaysians defying the government clampdown and rise up to voice their collective concern for free and fair elections, is a clear indication of the rakyat’s ability to join hands across the imagined boundaries of ethnicity and religion – boundaries which have been used by UMNO-BN to divide and rule this country for so long. Also encouraging is the fact that Malaysians and their friends from all over the world gathered in various cities globally to lend support for Bersih’s cause. This is patriotism at the highest level. There is reason for all Malaysians to have hope for genuine multiracial politics in this country instead of suffering under the continued ethnocracy of UMNO-BN. And for that to happen, the rakyat must remember that, despite all odds, the 9th of July was the peoples’ victorious celebration of democracy in Malaysia.

Hidup Rakyat!

Chow Kon Yeow
Member of Parliament, Tanjong.
Penang State Exco Member and State Assemblyperson, Padang Kota.
Penang DAP State Chairman.

Sunday, July 10, 2011

Los Angeles, July 9 - Amid intimidating arrests and brutal assaults by the police during the BERSIH 2.0 rally in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysians from all ages, races and backgrounds, together with some foreigners supporting our cause, stood united and marched peacefully in the heart of Los Angeles downtown in support of free and fair elections in Malaysia.

A total of 85 attendees, dressed in yellow, gathered at Pershing Square in Los Angeles downtown. They carried self-made banners, posters and placards to express their dissents and frustrations. Organiser, James Cheng gave a brief introduction about the rally, why it was organised, and briefed about the police brutality against protesters in the BERSIH rally in Malaysia on the same day. The crowd then started the peaceful march toward the Consulate General of Malaysia. As the office was closed, the crowd, led by organisers Caterine Chang and Phebie Thum, read aloud the memorandum and the 8 electoral reform demands.

The crowd then marched towards the Los Angeles City Hall, while chanting the slogans "Bersih", "Hidup Rakyat", and "Reformasi". Cars and pedestrians passing by sounded their car horns and cheered to show their support.

When they arrived at the City Hall compound, the protesters observed a minute of silence to show respect to their Malaysian counterparts, who fought rain, assaults and risk of arrest to march for their freedom of speech and demand for clean elections. At 1pm, the crowd ended the rally by singing Negaraku, the national anthem of Malaysia.

Saturday, July 2, 2011

Penang Gerakan condemns the series of political violence and barbaric political activities currently taking place in the country.

We detest such a political campaign which intimidates the people, threatens their safety, cause
hardship and loss of income. We are strongly against such uncivilized violent acts which do not bode well for Malaysian politics.

Any issue, whether national, state or political, can be resolved through peaceful and lawful means. Barbaric and violent acts will only bring instability.

We urge the police to intensify their investigation so that the culprits involved will face the justice of law. The police should also increase their vigilance to prevent similar incidents from repeating.

We refer to the following incidents that took place in the past few days.

Splashing of green paint at the roller shutter at the service centre of Ng Wei Aik (Komtar
Assemblyman);
Posters defaming Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng;
Splashing of green paint at the house of Chong Eng, MP for Bukit Mertajam;
Splashing of yellow paint at Umno Cheras and Bandar Tun Razak branch premises;
Disrupting and harassing a civil society group from submitting a memorandum to the police
seeking the immediate release of 30 PSM members outside the police headquarters in
Penang Road.

During the press conference, all the Penang Gerakan leaders present wore purple ribbon. Purple
ribbon symbolizes anti-violence. This is a campaign launched by Penang Gerakan on July 15, 2009, to protest against political violence and threats.